You can effectively use your employees to help boost your business. Here, I’ll explain 4 ways that you can do this and strategies you should use to improve employee performance.
The coronavirus pandemic has been cruel to many small and medium size businesses.
Many of them have closed their doors permanently. Others that are open face the challenges of survival…trying to work out how to turn their business around.
As a small business owner, if you’ve found yourself in the situation where your business is floundering, barely surviving or not doing as well as it should, you’ll have good chance of getting it to succeed if one of the things you focus on is your employees.
It’s important to understand that employees can either make or break a business. They’re the single best resource that can drive the success of a business. Not only to survive but to start doing well again. Getting employees on your side and performing the way you need them to is essential in boosting your business, especially in the current recessionary economy; to identify ways to motivate employees and increase the productivity of your business so that you can successfully survive this downturn.
The question is: How do we get our employees to boost the business?
First, let me share an example with you of what you shouldn’t do.
A small business owner that I know, has employees who are driven by fear, uncertainty and stress. He feels that he has to continually put pressure on his staff to get them to work properly. Then, when they don’t perform he lets them have it. “It’s the only way to get the best out of them”, he says. Unfortunately his business isn’t doing that well. It’s bumbling along, just keeping its head above water.
The other day he told me that he wants to turn his business around! He can’t carry on like this, merely surviving!
“Good for you,” I told him. “The only way you’ll turn your business around is for YOU to change. And you can if you want to. But it’s going to take a fair amount of effort especially with the kind of attitude you’ve got. If you don’t change, it’ll take months or years to turn your business around. And you’ll remain the victim of a sluggish economy.”
We arranged to meet.
Focusing on the employee
During the meeting, after a long discussion on changing his outlook on the business, his attitude and his behaviour toward his staff, I advised him to do the following, concerning his employees:
1. Stop focusing on the negatives.
Don’t focus on the things that aren’t working. Look for things that your people are doing well. Then give them recognition for the good work and the effort that they’ve put in. They’ll feel great about working for you and they’ll try even harder. A small amount of recognition done smartly can go a long way in creating a positive working environment. Giving recognition is easy. You just have to remember to do it. And be sincere. Read more about how giving recognition can increase employee enthusiasm.
2. Don’t micro-manage every employee action and decision.
This will only sabotage employee motivation and willingness to take risks, big or small, and change things for the better. Let them come to you if and when they have problems. Talk things over. Ask them for ideas on how to fix problems. And encourage them to take responsibility for their own jobs.
3. Delegate tasks to your supervisors/team leaders
Give your managers, supervisors and team leaders the freedom to manage their staff and the jobs that need to be completed – within reason of course. Make sure that they understand what to do. If they don’t, give them training. Check that the work has been done properly and recognise their efforts. It takes a bit of effort from you at first, but once you’ve let go, and let them take responsibility, it’ll make your life so much easier in the long run.
4. Invest in the development of your employees
Look for ways to train up your staff. The benefits are enormous. You’ll have a workforce that’ll help you emerge from these challenging times with confidence, enthusiasm and real positive and consistent results.
The result: When your employees help boost the business
I’m now waiting to see the results of his change in leadership style. Under the change in circumstances, I hope he manages to do this. Because when employees see that he’s serious about changing, he’ll find that they’ll be driven by creativity, innovation, a positive culture and an empowering motivational climate, instead of fear and pressure. Then anything will be possible. And he’ll be amazed at the results that can be achieved. He’ll soon find out with relief and delight that these strategies to improve productivity in the business really work.
Anyone can do this. It’s just a question of determination, self-analysis, understanding and a little bit of help and guidance.
Meanwhile, let me know if you need help with any employee issues, especially when it comes to improving employee performance levels and getting your employees to boost your business. Just reply HERE
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You can also read up on other strategies to use to improve your business in an economic downturn. Click here to access this interesting article.